Elementary and Middle school years seem so long ago, but the memories will last a lifetime! They were the foundations for my later education and were the building blocks of my personality traits and academic abilities. I learned so many valuable lessons in elementary school especially from my very first teacher, my kindergarten teacher. I can remember this day perfectly because it was new, exciting, scary and fun!
I walked in to this brand new school with my blue and white dress and shiny blue shoes. I went to school so early in the morning unlike some of my other preschool friends who were in afternoon kindergarten. Just ten minutes ago I waved goodbye to my mom, dad and little brother in the stroller, through the window of the big yellow bus. I remember I had to wear a name tag with my teacher’s name and room on it, so I would be directed where to go. I walked in to my new classroom and was greeted by my teacher with a huge hug and hello. I did not know it at the time, but this woman would become a very important figure in my life later on.
Mrs. Mckinstry was her name, and she was a woman who taught children because she had a passion and it was not just a job. I remember learning life values from her at such a young age that I still carry with me today. She taught me always to be myself, to share with others and most importantly to never let anyone take away my positive attitude. My parents and little brother also became very close with her and I used to visit her all throughout elementary school whether it is helping her in the classroom or just stopping by to say hello. As the years went on, I would see her when I went out to lunch with my friends at the local bagel store, or at the local farm stand with my family. I knew her children and would see them often in her classroom.
When I was a junior in high school, I was called down to the principles office one day over the loudspeaker. Nervously waiting in the office, the principal called me in. He told me that Mrs. Mckinstry was retiring that year due to health reasons and I was chosen to represent my year of her teaching. After hearing the news, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what emotion to feel; to feel upset and hurt about her illness, confused as to what it was and at the same time honored that she had chosen me. That day when I saw Mrs. Mckinstry I started to cry because whatever reason it was that she was retiring, all I wanted was for her to be better. She must have been extremely sick because she would never give up her job as a teacher for anything in the world.
A year later I saw Mrs. Mckinstry in our little town, and she looked unbelievably different. Through all of the years I’ve known Mrs. Mckinstry she had been extremely overweight, but seeing her now she looked so tiny and healthy! Mrs. Mckinsrty was diagnosed with diabetes and other health related problems. I was so happy to see her again and see her even more healthy with her beautiful granddaughter, only two years old!
Mrs. Mckinstry has been a lasting influence on me. She has taught me so many life skills since I was just four years old. I met my two best friends in her kindergarten class and I am still best friends with them today. She taught me to always have fun, stay strong academically, and always remember that family is most important! She definitely shaped the rest of my elementary and middle school years and helped me get prepared for my upcoming high school years!
Elementary and Middle school years seem so long ago, but the memories will last a lifetime! They were the foundations for my later education and were the building blocks of my personality traits and academic abilities. I learned so many valuable lessons in elementary school especially from my very first teacher, my kindergarten teacher. I can remember this day perfectly because it was new, exciting, scary and fun!
I walked in to this brand new school with my blue and white dress and shiny blue shoes. I went to school so early in the morning unlike some of my other preschool friends who were in afternoon kindergarten. Just ten minutes ago I waved goodbye to my mom, dad and little brother in the stroller, through the window of the big yellow bus. I remember I had to wear a name tag with my teacher’s name and room on it, so I would be directed where to go. I walked in to my new classroom and was greeted by my teacher with a huge hug and hello. I did not know it at the time, but this woman would become a very important figure in my life later on.
Mrs. Mckinstry was her name, and she was a woman who taught children because she had a passion and it was not just a job. I remember learning life values from her at such a young age that I still carry with me today. She taught me always to be myself, to share with others and most importantly to never let anyone take away my positive attitude. My parents and little brother also became very close with her and I used to visit her all throughout elementary school whether it is helping her in the classroom or just stopping by to say hello. As the years went on, I would see her when I went out to lunch with my friends at the local bagel store, or at the local farm stand with my family. I knew her children and would see them often in her classroom.
When I was a junior in high school, I was called down to the principles office one day over the loudspeaker. Nervously waiting in the office, the principal called me in. He told me that Mrs. Mckinstry was retiring that year due to health reasons and I was chosen to represent my year of her teaching. After hearing the news, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what emotion to feel; to feel upset and hurt about her illness, confused as to what it was and at the same time honored that she had chosen me. That day when I saw Mrs. Mckinstry I started to cry because whatever reason it was that she was retiring, all I wanted was for her to be better. She must have been extremely sick because she would never give up her job as a teacher for anything in the world.
A year later I saw Mrs. Mckinstry in our little town, and she looked unbelievably different. Through all of the years I’ve known Mrs. Mckinstry she had been extremely overweight, but seeing her now she looked so tiny and healthy! Mrs. Mckinsrty was diagnosed with diabetes and other health related problems. I was so happy to see her again and see her even more healthy with her beautiful granddaughter, only two years old!
Mrs. Mckinstry has been a lasting influence on me. She has taught me so many life skills since I was just four years old. I met my two best friends in her kindergarten class and I am still best friends with them today. She taught me to always have fun, stay strong academically, and always remember that family is most important! She definitely shaped the rest of my elementary and middle school years and helped me get prepared for my upcoming high school years!